Lombardia Flashcards
Location in Italy, and what is N,S,E,W
Central part of N Italy. Switzerland to N , Emilia-Romagna to S Piemonte to W Trentino-Aldo Adige and Veneto on E
Topography ( four sectors, N to S)
The Alps - Valtellina The Prealps - Franciacorta, Brescia, Bergano, Lake Garda The Padana Plain - flat,fertile The Apeninnes Foothills - SW corner, Oltrepó Pavese
Rivers and Lakes
Largest number of lakes Most rivers flow S to the Po on Southern border
Climate, 3 zones
Continental Altitudes and Lakes moderating factors Alpine Zone (N) : high altitudes Lake Zone (N-central) : pre-alps, lakes moderate Padana Plain Zone (S-central) : severe winters/summers, more S foothills moderate some
Rainfall
Alps,Pre-alps : 1400mm / yr Padana plain: 600-800mm /yr Most precipitation in spring and autumn, winter is driest
Seasons
Spring: Mild, abundant rain Summer: warm-hot, moderators are elev. and lakes Autumns: mild, abundant rain Winters: cold, especially in alpine and plane, lakes moderate
Grape Varieties - general
limited range of native varieties due to phylloxera dominated by international varieties particularly Franciacorta, Oltrepó Pavese
Grape Varieties - Turbiana !
White aka. Trebbiano di Lugana principal variety of Lugana DOC genetically adjacent to Verdiccihio/Trebbiano di Soave perfumed, rich, medium to full body wines high acidity affinity for oak long aging potential white flowers, citrus, apples, stone fruits
Grape Varieties - Croatina !
Black native to Lombardia Mose widely planted in region (red or white) favorite of Oltrepó Pavese, aka Bonarda deep color fresh juicy red fruit, spicy notes fleshy and soft, tannic bite
Grape Varieties - Barbera !
Black used to produce single variety wines and blends often with Croatina
Grape Varieties - Nebbiolo !
Black principal Valtellina - only area outside Piemonte to really produce aka Chiavannasca
Grape Varieties - Groppello !
refers to a group of varieties Groppello Gentile is the major around Lake Garda Used for rosato bright, floral, red fruits, spice
Grape Varieties - Uva Rara
“rare grape” Oltrepó Pavese blends with Croatina and Barbera to add aroma of re fruit and spice
Grape Varieties - Ughetta (Vespolina)
native to Piemonte aka Vespolina grown in Oltepó Pavese for blending with Croatina, and Barbera
Grape Varieties - Lambrusco
reefers to a group SE corner of Lombardia Lambrusco Mantovano DOC Lambrusco Viadanese is most common
Grape Varieties - Chardonnay !
third most planted 10% of production mostly Franciacorta for sparkling
Grape Varieties - Pinot Nero !
second most planted 13% production Mostly in Oltrepó Pavese for trad. method sparkling and still
Valtellina
Most N growing region in Italy N of Adda river Terraced planting, south facing to ripen 700-800m altitude ‘heroic’ wine making - v high labor
Valtellina - Soil
mountain erosion and glacial deposit granitic sands, broken schist, alluvial material shallow and poor poor water retention rocks retain heat and radiate back to vines
Sforzato ( or Sfursat) di Valtellina DOCG !
‘pinnacle’ of Valtellina air-dried grapes, apassimento process 3-4 months drying min. alc. 14% min. 20 mn aging, min 12mn in oak intense, complex, dried fruit, spice, tobacco
Valtellina di Superiore DOCG !
min. 90% chiavannesca, most 100% 2 yr aging, 1yr oak Riserva - min. 3yr aging pale color dried rose, red fruit, leather, spice finesse vs. power compared to Barolo
Valtellina di Superiore DOCG - sub zones
Valgella - largest, most E Inferno - ‘hell’, hotter and steeper,greatest aging potential Grumello - fragrant, ageable like inferno Sassella - well- known, elegant Maroggia - most recent (2002), smallest, velvety, firm tannin

Franciacorta DOCG !
Historical refernce to 1570 for sparkling production
Modern history is 1950s, first release 1961 ‘ Pinot de Franciacorta’
DOC in 1967, DOCG in 1995
Fanciacorta aging and styles
NV - 18 months on lees
Vintage - (millesimato) 30 months on lees
Riserva - 60 months on lees
Satén - all chardonnay, <5atm pressure, 24 months on lees
Rosé - min. 35% pinor nero, 24 months on lees
* warm growing conditions allow riper grapes, zero dosage successfull and common
Moscato di Scanzo (or Scanzo) DOCG !
smallest DOCG in Italy
passito wine
local black grape, Moscato di Scanzo
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG !
DOCG 2007
min. 70% Pinot Nero
max. 30% Chardonnay/Pinot Bianco/Pinot Grigio
85% can say ‘Pinot Nero’
NV - 15 months lees
vintage (millesimato) - 24 months
special rosé - Cruasé - collective brand name
Bonarda dell’Oltrepò Pavese DOC !
DOC covers whole region
min. 85% Coatina (Bonarda)
max. 15% Barbera, uva rara, ughetta
used to be off-dry
some produced as vivace(lively) or frinzzante
Buttafouco
or
Buttafuoco dell’Oltrepò Pavese DOC
N. part of region
25-65% Croatina and Barbera
max. 45% uva rara
dry, red
Lugana DOC
S. side of Lake Garda
crosses into Veneto
distinctive white
90% Turbiana (trebbiano di lugana)
Structure well enough for barrel and lees stirring
Lugana - ~ 3 months after harvest
Lugana Superiore - aged min. 12 months
Lugana Risera - aged min. 24 months
Riveria del Garda Classico DOCG !
W. and S. sides og Lake Garda
Rosso and Rosé (chiaretto ) !
Mostly Groppello